steinbeck and stuff....

[sao95]

i ran out of inspiration tonight and when that happens i always think of authors, painters et cetera who have left a legacy of work that has passed the test of time. What did they do when they got stuck? How did they come up with the amazing things they painted/wrote? Makes me wonder if they were born as exceptional people or if it was just hard work. Hemingway didn't believe talent mattered, he wrote about Fitzgerald alot because Fitzgerald struck gold right out of the gate, then he went down hill, mostly due to his drunk/crazy wife. too many hmmmm's to really write down, but you see where i'm going with this?

[Hawkeye]

I've read steinbeck and fitzgerald, actually just finished the Great Gatsby, forcibly, it's called school , not a good novel reading experience :\

-George

[Knothead]

Heya, Sao, looks to me like you're wondering about the origins of inspiration.

Before we get going, mind telling us what it is you are trying to do? (i.e., writing, maybe? Or .....)

[Mickwish]

Oh, oh, ya got Knot started now...

I'd say most is a combination of talent and hard work, like most things. You can't write a book or paint a pic without putting in effort - but without talent, the effort will not produce what is desired.

Stephen King, that detestable shmuck author wrote a book on writing (called. of all things, On Writing. ). It's an interesting glimpse into the creativity and sweat that it takes to publish stuff people wanna buy and read.

Cheers
Mick

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Mickwish

I'd say most is a combination of talent and hard work, like most things. You can't write a book or paint a pic without putting in effort - but without talent, the effort will not produce what is desired.

I would agree with everything there, Mick, except for that last line, which leaves me puzzled (most likely, we have a problem with words/terms. )

Albert Einstein described "talent" (whatever that means) as "10% inspiration, and 90% perspiration."

I have issues with the whole notion of so-called "talent".

Here's my own definition of "talent": The willingness to create an effect. Period.

[sao95]

knot: painter, not so much origins of inspiration as, "ut oh, here I am again, I wonder if i'll make it back this time" The main problem is about 3 months ago I stumbled across a more suitable style of painting for me personally, I pushed it for awhile and then had to pay attention to other things, now I'm sitting here going, hmm what will I paint? Most of the time I can styare at the Gesso marks and find something that speaks to me, or I grab a dirty brush and randomly mark up the canvas, but this time it's not really happening...

mick: I seem to detect a hostility towards Stephen Kings approach to writing that sells, good for you glad I'm not the only one...

[Mickwish]

Knot: By talent, I mean the ability to produce what sells. To produce what you like and are pleased with is a different thing altogether. If you don't have the knack, then giving a whack ain't going to produce jack.

Sao: I actually enjoy reading King's "trash", but get a bit miffed by how much he produces. It's unfair, to say the least. IMO a good author shouldn't put out more than one good ripper of a yarn every ten years or so. King is a freak.

Cheers
Mick

[Knothead]

Oh, shoot, Sao, sorry, I remember now.

Okay...well you say

but this time it's not really happening...

It's okay, buddy, that's perfectly natural.

Sometimes we just aren't in the right 'place', and sometimes, whatever is happening at present is just not consistant with our present "vocabulary" (the 'more suitable style of painting' you mentioned).

I'll confess right here, I haven't painted a stroke since last April. It bothers me, but only from the standpoint of loss of productivity.) But then again, if I picked up a brush in my present state, and tried to paint in my normal "vocabulary", it would suck. I know it.

Perhaps I could work-out a different "style" to express what I am experiencing now; but it just ain't anything I'd like to commit to canvas. Do you understand me?

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Mickwish
Knot: By talent, I mean the ability to produce what sells. To produce what you like and are pleased with is a different thing altogether. If you don't have the knack, then giving a whack ain't going to produce jack.

LOL!! I couldn't disagree more, ol' buddy!

Sometimes, one produces a great communication that nobody will buy... ex.: I give you Van Gogh and Herman Melville. Both died in miserable obscurity, yet are considered modern masters.

Were they "talented"? Hell yeah! Did they SELL? No.

[Mickwish]

Well, what do I know? I'm only a consumer, and an undiscerning one at that.

Unless disproportional stick figures become the fad, I ain't ever gonna produce no masterpieces.

Although, I gotta admit that when the Australia gov't bought Blue Poles, I was tempted to try my hand at that kinda art. My kindergarten finger painting lessons prevented me. however.

Cheers
Mick the non-connoisseur